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Strickland Continues To Shine With Stimulus Package
- Filed under: Ohio Government, Strickland
- Date: Apr 3,2008
On the front page of today's ABJ is an AP article detailing Governor Strickland's $1.57 billion stimulus plan to get Ohio's economy back on track. Here are the highlights of the plan:
>$400 million for infrastructure such as roads and bridges.
>$250 million to create more internships and co-ops with Ohio businesses for students
>$200 million to clean up brownfields
>$200 million to preserve farmland and greenspace
>$150 million for advanced energy such as solar and wind
>$100 million for biomedical industry
>$100 million for business that distribute products from Ohio
When I look at this economic stimulus package, I see the top needs of our state being addressed. The largest piece of the pie goes to infrastructure, which is a huge economic investment because it creates jobs. Also, Ohio's roads are critical to commerce. Who would have thought that the second largest piece would be going to create co-ops and internship? That is great news? It is long been a frustration of mine to see long time friends earn impressive degrees from quality schools in Ohio and then immediately leave upon graduation. This kind of program will help keep them here. Horray! The environmental investment in brownfield clean up will benefit Ohio's cities where industry has left vast tracks of land that cannot be used. Akron in particular will benefit from a piece of these extra funds. Just drive a couple blocks south or east of the City of Akron and you will see plenty of brownfield lots that if cleaned up could be used for new business. The City of Akron has done a great job with brownfields, but they need some more money.
Preserving farmland, protecting green space, and investing in alternative energy will all help to improve the economy and quality of life in our state. Finally, the $100 million investment in the biomedical industry is GREAT news for Akron. With the biomedical corridor coming to our downtown, we are poised to benefit from this substantial investment by the state. Overall, I am very excited about this stimulus package and the potential it has to get our state back on track. What a difference an election makes.
Unrelated: great article today by David Giffles - We're aware Bill Clinton isn't a lady
14 Responses for "Strickland Continues To Shine With Stimulus Package"
How will this be paid for? Well here is how part of it will be paid for:
""If the package passes the legislature, voters will be asked on the November ballot to approve $400 million in new debt: $200 million that will be paid by taxpayer funds and $200 million that will be backed by liquor sale profits.""
So now future Ohioans will be in more debt (if Strickland's ballot issue passes, which who knows if it even will).
A couple of weeks back Kyle wrote a post blasting President Bush for the stimulus checks. Now that Strickland wants to boost the Ohio economy, he is all for it, even with making future debt - after compalining about the debt in his post against Bush. The difference is Strickland is a Democrat.
Is it true that Strickland is Gov. Rhodes long lost son? For those of you too young to remember him he was the Gov. that preached jobs, highways, technical ed, community colleges and more jobs.
How does this address Strickland's first major task of fixing education in Ohio?
All I see is more debt, more spending, and more risk to education funding.
Ben, notice that Governor Strickland isn't giving everyone a small check and walking away from the problems. That is much different from the President's plan. Instead, Strickland is showing LEADERSHIP and is going to make the case to Ohioans for his plan to get Ohio's economy back on track.
Angry, I wish I knew more about Governor Rhodes. I'd think comparing Governor Strickland to Governor Rhodes would be a good thing.
yes, showing leadership by adding debt to the state, something you were so against only 2 weeks ago when it was a Republican doing it.
Not to mention the fact that the plan is highly dependent on raiding the tobacco fund and the turnpike fund. What happens when those funds dry up?
There aren't too many more cycles left where the politicians are going to be able to dip into those funds.
Ben, the State of Ohio is required by law to maintain a balanced budget.
I know that, and you know I know that. The debt comes in from the bond issues. Those have to paid back you know.
The reason Strickland's stimulus plan is so much different from Bush's stimulus plan?
Strickland is a Democrat.
Sending Ponzi-scheme checks out to be filtered upline in order to hold those GNP numbers from dipping too low before Jan 20, 2009, is Bush's plan. Jobs being created had nothing to do with it. His plan may delay jobs being lost until he's safely back in Crawford….but nothing specifically targeted for new job creation. Pure pyramid plan. (PPP)
Correct me if I'm wrong here, but isn't Strickland's plan targeted and specific in the hopes of creating jobs in Ohio?
You want to create new jobs in Ohio, don't you?
Kyle why do you hate freedom?
So creating some new jobs right now is worth sacrificing huge future debt payments - which will reduce the state's ability to do much of anything constructive on a long-term basis (like maintain the roads, fix schools, etc.). Launching this stimilus package right now by taking on that much debt and claiming it is a good idea because it creates jobs today is like taking out a payday loan to take your wife out to an expensive dinner - it is great for today, but she is still gonna leave you when you can't afford any food for the next year while you are paying back the interest on it.
REV,
I agree the rebate plan is a joke but dont give Bush all the credit. This was the classic bi-partisan decsion that generally means we are either being scammed,robbed or both. This charade followed the normal form. One side wants to give more to those suffering and the other side maintains if they give too much now their might be less to give in the future.
I think the spending priorities in the plan address the top needs in our state and is worth the investment. Many of us think that we have to do something to change the economic conditions in our state. I realize that many conservatives may support Governor Taft's do nothing approach on economic development in our state. 36.65% of our state voted for Ken Blackwell in 2006 because they wanted more of the same. However, 60% voted for Strickland because they wanted to see a change in the direction of Ohio. This economic stimulus package is a change of direction. I'm excited!
I agree with Republican House Speaker John Husted that one of the most important components of this proposal is the co-op and internship plan to help stop the brain drain in Ohio. I really think that will fundamentally change our state.
anne: Agreed.
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